Going to uni - cheap and tasty meals wanted!
Discussion
I'm off to Uni in under 2 weeks, and whilst I'm not a bad cook, I mainly cook expensive stuff for the family.
I was looking for some cheaper alternatives that are quite quick and simple to complete, along the vein of this 'one pan sticky chicken' thread.
I was looking for some cheaper alternatives that are quite quick and simple to complete, along the vein of this 'one pan sticky chicken' thread.
Always keep a good supply of dry goods i.e. pasta, rice and grains (barley etc, good for stews). A few dried herbs and spices. Tins of canned toms are a requisite and can be used for many sauces, in stews, bolognaise, currys and chilli. Use fresh veg where possible but keep small stock of frozen peas, broccoli and cauliflower.
I will post some recipes later
Good luck at uni!
I will post some recipes later
Good luck at uni!
I lived on chilli, bolagnase, lasagne and chicken curries (using sizzll and stir curry sauce jars, I've since learned how to make curry properly and it's a lot cheaper but takes longer) when I was at uni. Always kept a large supply of free flow frozen mince (ie tip out how much you want and cook from frozen rather than defrosting a block) in the freezer.
Rice and pasta dishes are generally less hassle than potatoes as you can buy in bulk rather than worrying about potatoes going off.
Befriend the Malaysian/Oriential students! We had quite a lot when I was at uni and they tended to be pretty good cooks.
If you're in a communal house try and cook as a group, way cheaper than cooking individual meals, and always cook more than you need and freeze the rest for future reheating (assume you'll have a decent sized freezer and a microwave). A portion of something out of the freezer will be quicker than a dominos delivery when you're in a hurry, and a fraction of the cost.
Fresh veg is way better than frozen, but you do need have some kind of plan about what you're going to eat when. See if the town's got a market, thier veg will be a fraction of the price of supermarkets, and if you don't get through it in time make soup.
If you like to cook you'll probably want to take some kooking stuff with you as the stuff that comes in a hall of residence or a student house will be crap.
Rice and pasta dishes are generally less hassle than potatoes as you can buy in bulk rather than worrying about potatoes going off.
Befriend the Malaysian/Oriential students! We had quite a lot when I was at uni and they tended to be pretty good cooks.
If you're in a communal house try and cook as a group, way cheaper than cooking individual meals, and always cook more than you need and freeze the rest for future reheating (assume you'll have a decent sized freezer and a microwave). A portion of something out of the freezer will be quicker than a dominos delivery when you're in a hurry, and a fraction of the cost.
Fresh veg is way better than frozen, but you do need have some kind of plan about what you're going to eat when. See if the town's got a market, thier veg will be a fraction of the price of supermarkets, and if you don't get through it in time make soup.
If you like to cook you'll probably want to take some kooking stuff with you as the stuff that comes in a hall of residence or a student house will be crap.
When I was at Leeds I used to find that sprouts on toast was a good economy dish. My flatmate used to eat a great deal of Saxo stuffing but it caused havoc with his digestion and so not recommended if you are sharing lavatorial facilities with anyone else.
L.F.
L.F.
Edited by lockhart flawse on Tuesday 15th September 15:06
RizzoTheRat said:
If you're in a communal house try and cook as a group, way cheaper than cooking individual meals
This is a great idea though it might not work so well to start off with. Worked perfectly for us in the final year when you're more likely to be around weeknights working rather than razzing it up as a fresher though. Cooking in bulk (for 5 in our case) is way cheaper per person and if you cook stuff in a big pot, people can dive in when they like - Bolognese, Chilli, Varous curries, Stews all work well.Big pies are also a good choice as you can cook them up and leave them warm in the oven for all to dive into - shepherds and cottage pies in particular.
Also, find a decent local butcher and grocer rather than going to the supermarket all the time. I found that a trip to Sainsburys always ended up costing me more as I couldn't stick to what I needed - was tempted by other stuff. The meat and veg are more likely to be better value locally too.
You need a big freezer and a weekly cookup on a decent scale. Personally if you enjoy cooking and don't mind doing it for other people, you could do this on a regular basis. Just get people to pay upfront for the ingredients on a weekly basis. No cash, no access to the freezer to eat. If you are wise you could easily cream off some extra to cover your own food. People can just microwave stuff as and when they are about to eat as well if getting everyone together for a meal is impossible. Simples.
Buy meat in bulk (I mean 5kg bulk) and most of the beans, tinned tomatoes et al are pennies. Bulk stuff out with beans/mushrooms/veg.
This is the sort of scale you need to be working on. It isn't as hard as it looks and doesn't take very long if you have a routine.
Buy meat in bulk (I mean 5kg bulk) and most of the beans, tinned tomatoes et al are pennies. Bulk stuff out with beans/mushrooms/veg.
This is the sort of scale you need to be working on. It isn't as hard as it looks and doesn't take very long if you have a routine.
identti said:
I'm off to Uni in under 2 weeks, and whilst I'm not a bad cook, I mainly cook expensive stuff for the family.
I was looking for some cheaper alternatives that are quite quick and simple to complete, along the vein of this 'one pan sticky chicken' thread.
You want to buy a pasta machine and learn how to make good pasta. Firstly you need this because you can make spag, cannelloni and lasagne types easily which will give you about 300 different cheap meals in one go, the second reason is because no doubt you will fancy someone and as a way to attract them to you there is not better way then getting your pasta machine out for a dinner for them and their mates whilst zeroing in on that special person. Pretend you are Keith Floyd RIP and blow their undies off.I was looking for some cheaper alternatives that are quite quick and simple to complete, along the vein of this 'one pan sticky chicken' thread.
If I had had one of those at college I would probably have got laid straightaway and my future wife would not have slept with my flat mate for 2 years in the room next door
True story sadly....Regards
Andy
Hi,
I'm in the same situation as you, leaving a week Saturday for Bath. Birthday was yesterday and one of my presents was "The Ultimate Student Cookbook" by Fiona Beckett. Generally I tend to stay away from these books as they are generally full of boring meals that I know how to cook already, but this one is really quite good... It has standard things such as bangers and mash, but also more interesting meals such as pasta with bacon and cockles. It gives you loads of advice along the way on how to save money and it's just generally very well put together. Definitely recommend it.
I'm in the same situation as you, leaving a week Saturday for Bath. Birthday was yesterday and one of my presents was "The Ultimate Student Cookbook" by Fiona Beckett. Generally I tend to stay away from these books as they are generally full of boring meals that I know how to cook already, but this one is really quite good... It has standard things such as bangers and mash, but also more interesting meals such as pasta with bacon and cockles. It gives you loads of advice along the way on how to save money and it's just generally very well put together. Definitely recommend it.
Thanks for all the advice everyone, much appreciated.
What course are you doing and where are you staying?
Henry Hawthorne said:
Hi,
I'm in the same situation as you, leaving a week Saturday for Bath. Birthday was yesterday and one of my presents was "The Ultimate Student Cookbook" by Fiona Beckett. Generally I tend to stay away from these books as they are generally full of boring meals that I know how to cook already, but this one is really quite good... It has standard things such as bangers and mash, but also more interesting meals such as pasta with bacon and cockles. It gives you loads of advice along the way on how to save money and it's just generally very well put together. Definitely recommend it.
I'll check that book out - sounds good.I'm in the same situation as you, leaving a week Saturday for Bath. Birthday was yesterday and one of my presents was "The Ultimate Student Cookbook" by Fiona Beckett. Generally I tend to stay away from these books as they are generally full of boring meals that I know how to cook already, but this one is really quite good... It has standard things such as bangers and mash, but also more interesting meals such as pasta with bacon and cockles. It gives you loads of advice along the way on how to save money and it's just generally very well put together. Definitely recommend it.
What course are you doing and where are you staying?
bazking69 said:
Oh, and tip out of the foil containers into a bowl if microwaving...
Or use some plastic containers that can go in the microwave that way you don't have to keep buying new foil containers. However cheap they are as a student you want to conserve funds on even the smallest things. zakelwe said:
You want to buy a pasta machine and learn how to make good pasta. Firstly you need this because you can make spag, cannelloni and lasagne types easily which will give you about 300 different cheap meals in one go, the second reason is because no doubt you will fancy someone and as a way to attract them to you there is not better way then getting your pasta machine out for a dinner for them and their mates whilst zeroing in on that special person. Pretend you are Keith Floyd RIP and blow their undies off.
If I had had one of those at college I would probably have got laid straightaway and my future wife would not have slept with my flat mate for 2 years in the room next door True story sadly....
+2 If I had had one of those at college I would probably have got laid straightaway and my future wife would not have slept with my flat mate for 2 years in the room next door
True story sadly....
Many years ago an older/wiser mate advised me for a 2nd date I borrow his pasta machine and hand make pasta for a girl I was having over for dinner.
His advice was spot on! And the desired outcome (bedroom action that night followed by relationship) was achieved
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